Beginners Guide

[Stevie]

What is a PDA?

Personal Digital Assistant.

A PDA is a handheld computer that provides many uses like:
• store names and addresses
• prepare to-do lists
• schedule appointments
• keep track of projects
• track expenditures
• take notes
• calculations

Dependant on the model of your PDA you can also :

• Connect to internet, send and receive emails
• Word processing
• Voice Memos
• Play Mp3’s and movie files
• Play computer games
• Add features like cameras, GPS systems, barcode scanners etc



Think before you buy

Your requirements

Budget
There is no point splashing out on the most powerful PDA if you don’t need it. Have a read below and check off what you don’t need, will help you

• Bluetooth (Do want to connect wireless to: Mobile Phone, Laptop, PC or GPS receivers.

• WIFI (do you want to surf the net in star bucks? WIFI is great if you want or have the need to use it.).

• CPU this is important if you want a high performance PDA and be able to multi task ie you are wanting to use pocket excel and listen to MP3’s. Running GPS based software it is always recommended that you have a fairly powerful CPU fairy form 200 to 400Mhz

• Memory is also very important as you will find that PDA’s don’t have hard disks they use internal memory and expansion slots. You can always add larger memory cards via the expansion slots.

• Size the newer PDAs that you will find are true handhelds, the older models can be fairly heavy and bulky.

It is always advisable to read the forums on the web you will find a lot of useful information from customers, the good points and also the bad.

Operating Systems information


Pocket PC Based Systems

PROS
Operating system that resembles windows, but designed for Pocket PC
True web browser and POP3 or IMAP e-mail client.
Productivity applications (Pocket Word, Excel, and Money), easy integrations with desktop applications.
Entertainment applications (windows media player, reader).
Faster processors and more memory.

CONS
Faster processors and more memory required to run, PDA's do require soft resetting alot.
Significantly shorter battery life than Palm based systems.

Palm Based Systems

PROS
Simple, effective PIM applications (address book, date book, etc.)
Great handwriting recognition program.
Wide range of devices to choose from and fairly long battery life.
Thousands upon thousands of freeware applications available for download.
Relatively inexpensive compared to Pocket PCs.

CONS
Not easy to get around the PDA if you are used to using any Windows based products.
Single tasking OS cant do more than one thing at a time.
Doesn't offer much beyond the PIM basics.